look for
So^l Moisture-Based
Irrigation Control Technologies
More than 28 million homes across the United States have in-ground sprinkler
systems, and most of those systems schedule watering with some sort of clock-
timed device. As a result, many homeowners waste water by irrigating their
landscapes when they may not need it. Experts estimate that as much as half the
water we use outdoors may go to waste due to inefficient irrigation methods and
systems.
SENSOR SMART
Soil moisture sensors (SMSs) are a technology that
can detect the amount of moisture in the ground
beneath the landscape and keep sprinkler systems
from watering when plants don't need it. This smart
technology can override scheduled irrigation when the
soil has plenty of moisture, which helps reduce water
waste and promotes plant health. By providing real-
time information about the moisture available in the
soil, these smart technologies help avoid overwatering
while still allowing customization.
Soil moisture sensors work in any variety of climates
and soil types. They can be purchased as stand-alone
controllers, with the soil moisture programming
integrated into the irrigation controller, or as "add-on" or
"plug-in" devices that can be used in conjunction with
an existing clock-timed controller to help it water more
efficiently.
SAVING WATER OUTDOORS
EPA is adding SMSs to its suite of WaterSense labeled
landscape irrigation products to help residential and
commercial landscape irrigation systems save water.
Along with WaterSense labeled weather-based
irrigation controllers and WaterSense labeled spray
sprinkler bodies, they will provide consumers with a
variety of smart irrigation technology options that can
reduce water waste outdoors and promote plant health.
EPA anticipates that, once the specification is finalized
and these products can earn the WaterSense label,
%&€••¦si a WfM
Soil moisture sensor image courtesy of Hunter Industries, Inc.
installing a WaterSense labeled SMS can save an
average home with an automatic landscape irrigation
system more than 15,000 gallons of water annually.
In the future, replacing clock-timers in all residential
irrigation systems across the United States with soil
moisture sensors that earn the WaterSense label could
save more than 390 billion gallons of water each year.
LOOK FOR THE WATERSENSE LABEL IN THE FUTURE!
Once EPA finalizes its specification
for soil moisture sensors,
homeowners and landscapers can
look for WaterSense labeled SMSs
to help save water outdoors! For
more information, visit
www.epa.gov/watersense/soii-moisture-based-control-
technoloqies.
4t%	EPA-832-F-19-018
PHONE (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) WEBSlTEwww.epa.gov/waterserise EMAlLwatersense@epa.gov	^FPA November 2019

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